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2003: Vol.
2, Numbers 1-12Read
past articles including:Series
on Leadership continued
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free SocietyArt
and Politics Living
the Good LifeTeaching
Teens World
Peace in Less Than a Month?

"That which is Below corresponds
to that which is Above, and that which is Above,
corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish
the miracles of the One Thing."

—The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus

This code of Hermes, simplified
to “As above,
so below,” was used to emphasize that within
man is Cosmos. In the symbolic alchemy of human development
it inspired ages of philosophers, theologians and psychologists
to seek the formulas of spiritual transformation — to
change the human consciousness from its animal nature
to its divine nature.

Today, on the brink of environmental
and political oblivion, humanity must change the
widely quoted simplified version to its inverse — “As
below so above” — which is the second
half of the original code. Human
beings as the microcosm may also affect the macrocosm
through our thoughts and actions. Whereas “As
above, so below” was used to transcend the
material, humans need now focus on our custodianship
of the material in order to survive and flourish. For
our planet to become a sacred place for human development
and spiritual wisdom, we need to make our material
life harmonious with spiritual laws of nature.

This indicates that the mystical
path of transformation must be replaced by the practical
considerations of solving the problems humanity has
created for itself. The “new alchemy” is
environmentally responsible living. This will enable
humans to understand the mysteries of life and nature
in cosmos. This will enable humans to develop spiritually.

In the words of Hermes Trismegistus
I find the wisdom of ecology, which is basically
reciprocity and wholism. True ecology and sustainability
follow the law of Karma — one
reaps what one sows. When any system is in balance
you have health and life. Our world is dying because
of imbalance.

On a personal level, ecology is
integrity. The world is our mirror. Thus, when we
see our relationships, when we see our circumstances,
when we see our challenges and our errors, we are
looking in the mirror of our life. When our inner
values match our external reflection we may say that
there is integration — integrity.
Spiritual wisdom is to put in motion those causes that
will produce effects that are harmonious with our inner
purpose. Thus, a spiritual life is a life of integrity
and action, where there is no friction between the
inner reality and the outer reality. This is a worthy
goal, which the forces of nature will assist. This
is the essence of natural healing. Inner values produce
the motivation; actions that are harmonious with those
values produce a life in ecological health.

On a global scale we do not have ecological health,
because of a crisis of integrity. World leaders do
not have integrity. Hence we have war, global warming,
human suffering, and religious conflicts. All these
effects are mirrors of the inner state of consciousness
of people and their leaders. Those in power are negligent
and hypocrites, so the result is that humanity is currently
living in a prison of fear and uncertainty. If there
is no hope, no inspiration, no sense of security, no
optimistic concept of human potentials, and no vision
for a better future, then there is no progress and
transformation. World events mirror this failure of
leadership. In this vacuum people turn to religion
(any religion) and become vulnerable to the appeals
of religious fanatics.

“When they lose their sense of awe, people turn
to religion.”

— Tao
Te Ching

The Hermetic code instills awe:
Human beings who contemplate cosmos contemplate themselves;
actions harmonious with cosmic order, benefit oneself
and the whole. Human beings are miracles of nature,
as nature is a miracle of the universe, all set
in motion by cosmic laws. So when we think about a
healthy environment and sustainable living, we are
really thinking about how to live a balanced life on
a personal scale, a family scale, a community scale,
a national scale and a global scale. That is the essence
of the bumper sticker that says, “Think globally
and act locally.” So
global problems are first solved on the individual
level.

When people change their consciousness
then the world will change. Along with a change of
consciousness must come a change of actions, so that
there is integrity. We have heard it said that we get
the leaders that we deserve. The ill state of our planet
is therefore a sad commentary on the state of collective
human consciousness.

I know that the majority of human beings
want a peaceful, happy life. That is not complicated
nor speculation. That is universal. People want to
see their children grow with health and opportunity.
That is also universal. There are many great organizations
in the world that are working for the welfare of the
planet and humanity. The only thing standing in the
way of their success is that the priorities and resources
of nations are currently dedicated to goals that oppose
the goals of health, harmony and life for all beings.

If, as stated in the Hermetic code
of cosmos and deity, all are part of one whole, then
humans must learn to cooperate and work for the welfare
of the whole. Through fulfilling our responsibilities
to the whole we will create the alchemical transformation
in our personal life that will positively impact society
and the planet. A life in balance between taking and
giving back is a life of personal ecology. It is not
a burden, but rather an asset, enhancing the life of
the greater society. Our spiritual connection to all
life defines our responsibility to work to our potential
and cooperate will all other parts of nature. Thus,
the consciousness of personal ecology instills a sense
of kinship, and a sense of universal spiritual understanding
that will prevent humans from harming any part of the
natural system to which we belong.